Trouble in breathing, wheezing, coughing, chest pain and tightness in the chest are common symptoms of asthma in children. Asthma – which is very common among children, teens and adults – causes the airways of the lungs to tighten while bronchitis is an inflammation of the ‘bronchi' – the tubes leading from the throat to the lungs. It is usually a result of an infection or irritation. If it is the latter, it is often accompanied with a raised temperature and a generally feeling of being unwell. One dilemma parents face is confusion as to how to differentiate between asthma and Bronchitis. “Things that cause asthma attacks are called triggers and these triggers are found everywhere. Any home can be full of triggers like mold, dust mites, second-hand smoke, cockroaches, cats and dogs. Other asthma triggers may be air pollution (such as pollen), certain foods, respiratory infections and physical exertion,” explained Dr. Ansari Bakar, a pediatrician at Al -Rayan polyclinic in Jeddah. Similarly, bronchitis can also be caused by inhaling certain substances like chemical pollutants, dust, ammonia and smoke but contracting bronchitis is usually a result of an infection or irritation, and it is usually mild and doesn't often cause any long-term damage. However, Bronchitis can cause serious damage to elderly people, smokers or chronically ill people with heart or lung disease. Infectious bronchitis often starts with symptoms similar to that of a cold, including a runny nose, fatigue, sore throat and mild fever. This may then develop into a cough which is often dry at first, but will become moist within a few days. There may be a slight wheeze and a feeling of being short of breath. If you listen to your child's chest, you may often hear ‘bubble and squeak' sounds. Asthmatics also suffer inflammation of the airways, but they also get spasms or ‘Bronchi-constriction' of their airways. This can be triggered by exercise, chemical irritants and infections, which can make the initial diagnosis difficult. However, where bronchitis is usually a one-off episode, Asthma recurs and is fairly easy to diagnose using specific lung function tests. In short, asthma is a kind of hypersensitivity involving shortness of breath and coughing - which often occurs at night or early in the morning - while Bronchitis in children is nearly always due to a virus. Dealing with asthma “Mold growing on damp things such as shower curtains, bath items, tubs, basins and tiles and dust mites - tiny bugs that you can't see and who they live in sheets, blankets, pillows, mattresses, soft furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys – are triggers of asthma,” explained Dr. Bakar. “Other triggers include cigarette smoke (including that from cigars and pipes); cockroaches and their droppings; warm-blooded animals' urine and saliva; Nitrogen oxide – an odorless gas that can irritate your eyes, nose, and throat and may cause shortness of breath (this gas comes from the use of appliances that burn fuels like gas and wood) and chemical irritants found in scented or unscented products in your house such as including cleaners, paints, adhesives, pesticides, cosmetics, or air fresheners.” Well-controlled action plans can help reduce your child's asthma attacks, including controlling the trigger, following the instructions in asthma medicines and knowing what to do if you child has an attack, in terms of knowing who to call. Since air pollution can also trigger your child's asthma, it is important to know that asthma attacks can occur the same day, but may also occur the day after outdoor pollution. Also, if you see mold, clean it up immediately with soap and water. Use exhaust fans or open a window in the bathroom when showering and in the kitchen when cooking or washing dishes. Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water as soon as possible. Dry damp or wet items within one to two days to avoid mold growth, advised Dr. Bakar. Here are some more tips: u Wash bed sheets and blankets once a week. Dry completely. u Use dust-proof covers on pillows and mattresses. u Vacuum carpets, rugs and furniture often. u Wash stuffed toys. Dry completely. u Don't smoke in your home or car. u Don't let anyone smoke near your child. u Keep counters, sinks, tables, and floors clean. u Clean dishes, crumbs, and spills. u Store food in air tight containers. u Cover trash cans. u Keep pets outside if possible. If you have a pet inside, keep them out of the bedroom and off the furniture. u Vacuum carpets and furniture often. “If any one or both parents have Asthma then there is a possibility that it will be present in their children,” concluded Dr. Bakar. “In most children, asthma will disappear between the age of six to 12 years. Only 10 to 15 perrcent of children will continue to suffer from it in adult life.”
